There Will Be Friction: Let's Hope His Face Doesn't Catch Fire
So, been missing the Prem during this interminable break? We’ve been missing it too–like Adriano apparently misses having an endless supply of sausages lining his new Corinthians shorts. Never fear–club football is here!
And the footballing gods have offered up some interesting matches to kick-start the home stretch. At the top of the day, London Bongo entertain those northern devils from Manchester while historic clubs Leeds United and Nottingham Forest battle it out in the Championship for crucial points in the promotion playoff race.
Over in Germany, there’s a massive tilt between Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund and Hannover 96. Full points for either German side would be massive–BvB now retain only a 7 point cushion over 2nd placed Leverkusen whilst Hannover are trying to beat back the challenge from Bayern Munich for the final Champions League spot. Call me opportunist, but methinks I’m rooting for Hannover to win because A. it gives Leverkusen the chance to narrow the gap on Dortmund; and B. I want to see Ribery and Robben pouting in Europa League ties next season.
Back in England, the day’s storyline will likely be former Liverpool gaffer Roy Hodgson leading his Baggies out against the club that loved him no more. Here’s another match where full points for either side would be massive–for LFC, a chance to tighten the gap behind Tottenham as King Kenny chases Anfield’s one chance to entertain European football next season, while Woy is trying to keep the Baggies above a relegation spot.
Meanwhile, the afternoon presents two intriguing matches from La Liga and Serie A. As Orr highlighted in his Friday preview, the Milan derby takes center stage in Italy this weekend, and his beloved Meelan will have to make due without suspended striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. According to him, due to what’s at stake, the 1st half will be tense, tight, and likely scoreless, so feel free to jump ahead to the 2nd half (kidding).
Ah, over in Spain, the beauty that is Barcelona football blah blah blah. Pep’s boys travel to El Madrigal to match half-wits with Guiseppe Rossi and the Yellow Submarine. Perhaps the match will be too beautiful to watch, so perhaps you should flip back to the Milan derby by this time to check the fireworks on the pitch–and in the stands.
Or, check out the US women in action in an international friendly. In a tune-up prior to the World Cup, the Stars and Stripes will let Ingerland kick the ball around a bit–before deciding to pound them relentlessly.
Take a breath, and round out the football evening with some MLS action. The new kids on the block–Portland and Vancouver–are in action along with a match between new Eastern conference foes RBNY and Houston Dynamo. The blogfather’s Union will be Dooping it late out west. A little Woodsford Reserve and a twitter account might make for a fun Saturday night.
Carpe Football.
Times are Eastern; matches of interest in bold.
7:45 am West Ham v Manchester United (ESPN2, ESPN3.com)
7:45 am Leeds United v Nottingham Forest (FS.tv, FS+)
9:30 am Bayern Munich v Borussia M’Gladbach (ESPN3.com)
9:30 am Borussia Dortmund v Hannover 96 (GolTV)
10:00 am Birmingham City v Bolton (FS.tv)
10:00 am Everton v Aston Villa (FS.tv)
10:00 am Newcastle United v Wolverhampton (FS.tv)
10:00 am West Brom Albion v Liverpool (FS.tv, FS+)
10:00 am Stoke City v Chelsea (FSC)
10:00 am Wigan v Tottenham (FS.tv)
12:00 pm Real Madrid v Sporting Gijon (ESPN3.com)
12:00 pm Brescia v Bologna (FS+)
12:30 Arsenal v Blackburn (FSC)
12:45 pm Twente v PSV (ESPN3.com)
1:00 pm Arles v Monaco (FS.tv)
1:00 Lille v Caen (FS.tv)
1:00 Nancy v Bordeaux (FS.tv)
1:00 pm PSG v Lorient (FS.tv, TV5)
1:00 Stade Rennes v Auxerre (FS.tv)
1:00 pm Sochaux v Brest (FS.tv)
1:00 pm Toronto FC v Chivas USA (MDL, TSN)
2:00 pm Getafe v Valencia (GolTV)
2:45 pm AC Milan v Inter Milan (FSC, ESPN3.com)
3:00 pm Toulouse v Montpellier (FS.tv)
3:00 pm England v USA (Women) (ESPN2, ESPN3.com)
4:00 pm Villarreal v Barcelona (GolTV, ESPN3.com)
7:00 pm Vancouver v Sporting KC (MDL, Direct Kick)
7:30 pm NE Revolution v Portland (MDL, Direct Kick)
7:30 pm RBNY v Houston Dynamo (MDL, Direct Kick)
10:30 pm LA Galaxy v Philadelphia (MDL, Direct Kick)
10:30 pm San Jose v Seattle Sounders (MDL, Direct Kick)
It looked like it was going straight…or not…
There’s where Blackburn look bad, two bad challenges back to back like that
I don’t think those are mock cheers from the Arsenal fans every time Almunia is able to catch the ball clean. I think they’re truly happy he’s able to successfully complete the simplest of plays.
Anyone still watching the Event on NBC? Doesn’t the evil Dempsey character look a lot like Woy?
Jans is looking pretty good right about now
Same old Arsenal, always looking like they’re gonna score but not actually testing the keeper
Speaking of same old look; DeRo’s gone, Tchani’s in, Toronto still lose. 1-0 Chivas early 1st, TFC have been pants apparently.
They need to put Chamakh in.
Braun’s got the back post open all day.
@OM: Crowd also showing their displeasure.
@ Ryan: Yep, just saw an angry one–and an empty seat.
So, instead of waiting around for DeRo to do something, TFC will wait for Tchani to do it instead/still broken Reds
Almost for TFC! Gordon hit the bar.
Ha, Moreno’s old. One v One on Frei, let Attakora catch up to him.
Goal TFC! Gordon with the header off a set piece; Chivas caught napping, badly. 1-1 now.
Since I picked up the match (around 15 minutes in) TFC hasn’t been all that bad. Now 1-1 too with a Gordon header.
Ryan: All out of sorts at the beginning, huge gaps in the back left; they have picked it up, especially now they’ve got that goal back.
Ooh, close offsides call now, goal called back for TFC just before half.
TFC goal chalked off for a silly offside.
Oh, I see Norwich hung six goals on Scunthorpe today.
fuck me, they killed JWAF!
oh, he fuxxored himself
Whoa, just remembered the Milan derby is today as well.
Chamakh will score.
@Ryan, And Barca v Villareal…how’s a guy supposed to play a bunch of video games with all this soccer going on?
sweet unnecessary dive by Almunia
RC for N’Zonzi! Seems a bit harsh
Everything about Almunia is unnecessary
@Orr – keep it up and I’m rooting for Inter
I feel like that could have gone either way. No issues with it being a red though.
That was not a red card.
Looked a harsh red at first but don’t see how anyone can have any complaints.
Yeah, N’zonzi must feel hard done on that call. Arsenal have no excuses not to score now. Our passes in the box are way too heavy today. but Nicky Boots will save us!
@wacman: I just can’t get excited for the Barca match with Real losing this afternoon. It’s nearly meaningless now.
That’s not a red card…that’s not even close to a red card. If he says it’s two footed, it’s because he second foot comes out to brace his fall
how does Chamakh miss that?
The red can actually be a bad thing for Arsenal.
Good lord! Same old Arsenal, no one wanting to shoot! Except Clichy from 35 yards out, god bless him.
I hate this fucking game.
Olsson channeled his inner hockey player on that play, great job!
RvP heads it with his back.
How dare you stand there Song? How dare you?!?!?
@NYK – You wouldn’t! And you or I could do what Manny does
Fuck. That’s not good.
I love Jack Wilshire
@Orr – yes, yes we could. And no, I wouldn’t.
What an awesome free kick.
I hate this game.
How dare us Arsenal fans not willingly cheer on our team even though they’ve been essentially impotent the entire game?
Fucking RvP! Have I mentioned my hatred of this game?
I hate this sport
Yikes. Santos with a terrible miss for Toronto.
Good job by Blackburn, Well deserved point
I’m actually starting to hate the fluidity of our game…perhaps that’s not the reason why we suck, but I’m blaming it for now
Time to start drinking heavily
wow. just. wow.
Way to go NostraStretforddamus
YEEES!!!!
I was wrong about that slow start I guess, but who the hell cares! Pato!!
Hahaha. Pato inside of a minute.
Pato in the 1st minute!
Nice, a Charlie Sheen reference lol
Glad to have Zambrotta back, anything to keep Antonini off the pitch
Thats a penalty!! What a cannon from Seedorf
Clear handball, damnit
Yeah I totally would have given that.
@Ryan – I see the ref had a bad angle but thats got to be a PK if he sees it, the arm is out, the ball looks on target
quite the entertaining fixture so far
Good save, welcome to the match Abbiati
Fair call on Robinho there, get on with it man
Sneijder throws a tantrum
Oh Van Bommel off the bar!
Abbiati the hero! What. A. Save.
Great skill from Seedorf
First half comes to a close, 1-0 Milan. Rip-roaring start followed by a much more open half than I expected. The early goal gives Milan the advantage, and it looks like they’ll be content to play the counter-attack game as long as they lead. I do feel they’ll need another goal though.
That’s a red! Pato was clear through, Inter are down to ten men
Think I’d rather have the goal that Pato hopefully would have scored actually
Silva blasts the free kick right at Cesar, rebound shanked by Boateng
Pato gets the goal he would have had
YEAH!!! Pato from Abate!! 2-0 Il Diavolo!
Great save for Cesar or it was 3
Cesar keeping it close, Robinho yet to get his goal
Penalty, twisting the knife now
Cassano to take… and score!!!
3-0, Inter properly beaten tonight
Why do they keep showing hot Italian women?
Cassano off with a second yellow! The first for taking off his shirt. Very, very silly
One of those hot Italian women is Barbara Berlusconi, Pato’s current WAG and, obviously, the president’s daughter
What an idiot! Balotelli-esque
Holy shit Pato’s never leaving her, or Milan…
Great performance from the Rossoneri!
It does seem like an off-the-field headache wating to happen doesn’t it
Holy shit Dani Alves is a cunt
1. Cassano is completely brainless
2. Dani Alves is a massive fucking twat
3. yes he is, but FCB will win the treble.
Henry has grown some awesome/horrific facial hair.
This Whitecaps-Sporting KC game has been fantastic. Teal Bunbury with an excellent brace and then an assist to stake KC to a 3-0 lead, then Vancouver comes back, including two goals in stoppage time, to get a 3-3 draw.
C’Mon the U! Time to DOOP all over the Galaxitives!
So who wants an MLS team? With 7000 people at Gillette Stadium today, Bob Kraft clearly doesn’t.
The Galaxy absolutely bore the heck out of me for some reason.